JP2019200228A - Estimation device estimating remaining amount of developer, control method, recording medium, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an estimation device that is directed to a supply device that feeds a developer from a horizontally-supported cylinder-shaped supply bottle toward a developing device in an image forming apparatus, and estimates the amount of developer remaining in the supply bottle.SOLUTION: An estimation device comprises: a moving gear 151 that makes a revolution along an outer peripheral surface of a supply bottle 50K; a magnetic sensor that is provided on a revolution path of the moving gear 151 opposite to the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K, and detects whether a developer is present in a detection area; and a bottle control unit that controls the rotation angle of the moving gear 151 so that the magnetic sensor detects, for the supply bottle 50K, the presence/absence of a developer at a plurality of positions on the revolution path, and estimates the remaining amount of developer by using results of detection of the presence/absence of developer at the plurality of positions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for estimating a remaining amount in a storage container for storing a developer in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member is supplied with toner from the developing device and developed, and the developed toner image is transferred onto a recording sheet. After that, it is fixed by heating and pressing.

  Since the toner is consumed as the image is formed, it is necessary to sequentially replenish the toner to the developing device. The toner is supplied to the developing device from, for example, a toner bottle that stores toner. The remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle is detected by a detecting means such as a photo sensor. When the remaining amount is reduced (near empty), a near empty display is displayed to prompt for preparation for replacement of the toner bottle.

  However, the detection accuracy of the detection means may vary due to the accuracy of the mounting position of the detection means and the accuracy of the dimensions of the apparatus body. If the detection accuracy varies, for example, a near empty display may be displayed even though there is still sufficient toner in the toner bottle. Conversely, even though the toner bottle is almost free of toner (empty), the near empty display is not displayed, and the preparation of a new toner bottle may not be in time until the toner is completely consumed.

  In order to solve this problem, according to Patent Document 1, a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit of a photosensor face each other in a horizontal direction with a long toner bottle formed of a translucent material and arranged in a horizontal direction. To be arranged. When toner is present between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, the light from the light emitting unit is blocked by the toner and is not received by the light receiving unit. On the other hand, when no toner is present between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, light from the light emitting unit is received by the light receiving unit. Here, the photosensor is provided so as to be movable in the toner transport direction in the toner bottle, that is, substantially parallel to the horizontal direction.

  The toner stored in the toner bottle is conveyed to the supply port side by a spiral rib formed on the inner peripheral surface of the toner bottle, and the toner conveyed to the supply port falls from the supply port to the sub hopper. Thus, since the toner is conveyed to the supply port side by the spiral rib, the liquid level of the toner is gently inclined in the longitudinal direction in the toner bottle, and the liquid level on the supply port side is It is higher than the liquid level at the end opposite to the supply port.

  For this reason, when the photo sensor is arranged close to the supply port, the detection time of the toner liquid level is delayed, and when it is arranged away from the supply port, the detection time of the toner liquid level is advanced. For each image forming device, the photo sensor is moved to an appropriate position and then fixed, so that the near empty can be detected at an appropriate time, so that the accuracy of the mounting position of the detection means and the accuracy of the size of the device body Variations in detection accuracy due to the above are eliminated.

  However, according to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the photosensor is translated to an appropriate position and then fixed at that position, the near empty state in the toner bottle can be detected. It is impossible to detect where the toner liquid level exists. That is, there is a problem that it is impossible to know how much toner is remaining in the toner bottle.

  In order to solve this problem, according to Patent Document 2, a magnetic sensor is provided so that the detection head faces the side wall standing in the vertical direction of a developer container that contains a developer containing a magnetic material. A technique is disclosed in which the detection head moves vertically along the side wall while facing the side wall. When the magnetic sensor reaches the developer level, the detection signal of the magnetic sensor changes abruptly. In this way, the liquid level of the developer can be detected, and as a result, the remaining amount of the developer can be known.

JP 2011-170218 A JP-A-8-166714

  As described above, according to Patent Document 2, the magnetic sensor is moved vertically and vertically, so that the developer level can be detected to know the remaining amount of developer.

  However, the side wall of the developer container is not limited to the vertical wall. For example, the toner container disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a cylindrical toner bottle, and the outer peripheral surface thereof is curved with respect to the vertical direction. When a technique for moving the detection head of the magnetic sensor disclosed in Patent Document 2 vertically and vertically is applied to such a cylindrical developer storage container, each position of the detection head that moves up and down is applied. Since the horizontal distance from the cylindrical outer peripheral surface to the cylindrical outer peripheral surface is not constant, it is not always possible to detect the magnetic substance in the developer storage container under the same conditions regardless of the position of the detection head. As a result, there is a problem that the liquid level of the developer cannot be accurately known.

  An object of the present invention is to solve this problem and provide an estimation device, a control method, a recording medium, and an image forming apparatus that can estimate the remaining amount of developer stored in a cylindrical storage container.

  In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is directed to a replenishing device that feeds and replenishes developer from a horizontally supported cylindrical storage container toward a developing device of an image forming apparatus. An estimation device for estimating the amount of remaining developer, a circular motion means that circulates along the outer peripheral surface of the storage container, and a state facing the outer peripheral surface of the storage container on a peripheral circuit of the peripheral motion means And detecting means for detecting whether or not the developer is present in the detection area, and so that the detecting means detects the presence or absence of the developer at a plurality of positions on the peripheral circuit with respect to the storage container. Rotation control means for controlling the rotation angle of the orbiting movement means, and estimation means for estimating the remaining amount of the developer using detection results of the presence or absence of the developer at the plurality of positions.

  Here, when the estimation means detects the developer at the lower position without detecting the developer at the upper position on the peripheral circuit for two adjacent positions among the plurality of positions, the storing means You may estimate the capacity | capacitance from the lowest part in a container to the position of the downward side as the residual amount of the developer accommodated in the said storage container.

  Here, when the lower side position is the lowermost part of the storage container, the estimation means does not detect the developer at the upper side position but detects the developer at the lower side position. The developer stored in the storage container may be estimated to be near empty.

  Here, if the developer is not detected at the upper position and the developer is detected at the lower position, output means for outputting caution information indicating that the storage container should be prepared for replacement. It is good also as comprising.

  Here, the rotation control means moves and stops the detection means to the uppermost position of the outer peripheral surface of the storage container. When the estimation means detects the developer at the uppermost position, the rotation control means It is also possible to estimate that the developer is not consumed or that the developer consumption is less than a predetermined threshold.

  Here, the rotation control means moves the detection means to the lowest position of the storage container and stops it, and the estimation means is stored in the storage container when the developer is not detected at the lowest position. It may be estimated that the developer being empty is empty.

  Here, an output means for outputting warning information indicating that the storage container should be replaced may be provided when the developer is not detected at the lowest position.

  Here, the developer may include a carrier that is a magnetic material or a toner that is a magnetic material, and the detection unit may be a magnetic sensor.

  Here, the rotation control means controls the rotation direction and the rotation angle so that at least the first position and the second position exist in this order from the upper side to the lower side of the outer peripheral surface of the storage container, Only when the developer is not detected at the first position, the rotation control means may perform control to move the detection means to the second position.

  Here, when starting the detection operation, the rotation control unit may first circulate and stop the detection unit up to the top of the outer peripheral surface of the storage container.

  Another aspect of the present invention is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus including the above estimation apparatus.

  Here, the storage container itself may be further provided with a driving means for rotating the storage container itself around a horizontal axis.

  Here, a display unit for displaying the remaining amount of the developer estimated by the estimation unit may be further provided.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic image forming apparatus including the above estimation apparatus and display means for displaying the caution information or the warning information output from the estimation apparatus. It is characterized by that.

  Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a replenishing device that feeds and replenishes developer from a horizontally-supported cylindrical storage container toward the developing device of the image forming apparatus. A control method used in the estimation device for estimating the amount of the agent, wherein the estimation device includes a circular motion means that circulates along the outer peripheral surface of the storage container, and the storage container on a peripheral circuit of the circular motion means And a detection means for detecting whether or not the developer is present in the detection area, and the control method is configured such that the detection means is on the peripheral circuit with respect to the storage container. Using the rotation control step for controlling the rotation angle of the orbiting motion means so as to detect the presence or absence of the developer at a plurality of positions, and the detection result of the presence or absence of the developer at the plurality of positions, the remaining amount of the developer is determined. Estimate to estimate Characterized in that it comprises a step.

  Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a replenishing device that feeds and replenishes developer from a horizontally-supported cylindrical storage container toward the developing device of the image forming apparatus. A recording medium recording a computer program for control used in an estimation device for estimating the amount of the agent, the estimation device comprising: a circular motion means for circular motion along an outer peripheral surface of a storage container; and the circular motion On the peripheral circuit of the movement means, provided in a state facing the outer peripheral surface of the storage container, the detection means for detecting whether or not the developer is present in the detection area, for the estimation device that operates as a computer A rotation control step for controlling a rotation angle of the orbiting motion means so that the detection means detects the presence or absence of the developer at a plurality of positions on the circumference circuit with respect to the storage container; Using the detection result of the presence or absence of the developer in serial a plurality of positions, and recording a computer program for executing the estimation step of estimating the remaining amount of the developer, and wherein the.

  According to said aspect, there exists an outstanding effect that the residual amount of the developer accommodated in the cylindrical storage container can be estimated.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a main configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 as an embodiment. (A) The schematic perspective view of supply bottle 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K is shown. (B) A schematic side view of the supply bottle 50K is shown. (A) The exploded view which decomposed | disassembled the sensor surrounding mechanism 163 into the component is shown. (B) The side view of the movement gear 151 and the drive gear 152 is shown. (A) The schematic plan view of the magnetic sensor 171 is shown. (B) A schematic side view of the magnetic sensor 171 is shown together with the lines of magnetic force output from the coil 172. (C) The schematic circuit diagram of the electric circuit 178 which comprises the magnetic sensor 171 is shown. A detection range 203 by the magnetic sensor 171 is shown. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of developer stored in a supply bottle and the output of a magnetic sensor 171. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the main control part 100 grade | etc.,. (A) The detection position and detection range of the magnetic sensor 171 on the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K are shown. (B) The relationship between the detection position of the magnetic sensor 171 and its detection range is shown. An example of the screen displayed on the operation panel 13 is shown. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming apparatus 1. Continuing to FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming apparatus 1. Continuing from FIG. The schematic side view of the gear etc. which go around along the outer peripheral surface of supply bottle 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K as a modification (1) is shown. The schematic side view of the pulley etc. which go around along the outer peripheral surface of the replenishment bottle 50K as a modification (2) is shown. The schematic side view of the cylindrical member etc. which were provided so that the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K as a modification (3) may be enclosed is shown.

1. Embodiment Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1.1 Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is a so-called tandem type color copier as shown in FIG. The image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K included in the image forming apparatus 1 are toners of each color of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) under the control of the main control unit 100. Form an image. In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 employs a two-component development system that uses a developer composed of two components of toner and a carrier that is a magnetic material.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper discharge tray 38 that discharges a recording sheet on which an image is fixed, and a scanner unit 11 that reads a document image above a printer unit 12 that fixes an image on a recording sheet. And an operation panel 13 for receiving user operations. Further, in the printer unit 12, a paper feed unit 33 is disposed at the bottom, and an exposure optical system 25, image forming units 21 </ b> Y, 21 </ b> M, 21 </ b> C, and 21 </ b> K and an intermediate transfer belt 31 are disposed above and below the intermediate transfer belt 31. The replenishing bottles 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K and the fixing unit 34 are arranged.

  In the present specification and drawings, the main scanning direction is represented by the X axis, the sub scanning direction is represented by the Y axis, and the vertical direction is represented by the Z axis.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 accepts a print job for copying a document image or accepts a print job from an external apparatus, a recording sheet is supplied from a paper feed unit 33 or a manual feed tray 35 by a paper feed roller 36 or 37. The timing roller 39 controls the conveyance timing of the recording sheet, and the recording sheet is conveyed to the secondary transfer roller 32 through the paper passing conveyance path.

  Each of the image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a developing device, a cleaner device, a static eliminating device, a primary transfer roller, and the like. The outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum is uniformly charged by a charging device. Based on the image information of the received print job, light that has been separated into colors is emitted from the exposure optical system 25, and the outer peripheral surface of the charged photoconductor drum is exposed and scanned, so that the outer surface of the photoconductor drum is statically exposed. An electrostatic latent image is formed. The electrostatic latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum is developed with toner by a developing device.

  The image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K primarily transfer the toner images of the respective colors to the intermediate transfer belt 31. The toner images of the respective colors are superimposed during the primary transfer. The primary-transferred color toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer roller 32 by the intermediate transfer belt 31 that circulates in the direction of arrow A.

  In accordance with this, the color toner image is secondarily transferred onto the recording sheet conveyed from the paper feed unit 33 or the manual feed tray 35 to the secondary transfer roller 32. The recording sheet that has been secondarily transferred is transported upward as it is, and after the color toner image is heated and melted and pressure-bonded by the fixing unit 34, the recording sheet is discharged to a discharge tray 38.

  When the remaining amount of the developer composed of two components of toner and carrier in the developing device provided in the image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K decreases, the replenishing device (not shown) supplies the replenishing bottles 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K. Then, the developer of each color is supplied into the developing devices included in the image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K through the joints 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K, respectively. By supplying from the supply bottles 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K, the amount of developer is kept constant in the developing devices provided in the image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K. When the developer in any one of the supply bottles 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K runs out, the supply bottle is replaced with a new supply bottle.

1.2 Supply bottles 50Y, 50M, 50C, 50K
Above the intermediate transfer belt 31, replenishment bottles 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K are detachably supported on a main body housing (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 1 in a state where the bottles are maintained in a horizontal state.

  2A shows a schematic perspective view of the supply bottles 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K, and FIG. 2B shows a schematic side view of the supply bottle 50K. In FIG. 2B, a shutter portion 183, which will be described later, is removed from the supply bottle 50K and displayed.

  Hereinafter, the supply bottle 50K will be described on behalf of the supply bottles 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K. The supply bottles 50Y, 50M, and 50C also have the same structure as the supply bottle 50K, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the supply bottle 50K (storage container) has a cylindrical shape, and a bottle portion 181 storing toner and a supply port 185 are formed on the outer peripheral surface. A cap portion 182 and a shutter portion 183 that opens and closes the supply port 185. The bottle part 181 and the cap part 182 are relatively rotatably arranged. A knob 184 that rotates the supply bottle 50K is formed on the front side of the cap portion 182.

  A drive unit (drive means) 141 that rotates the bottle unit 181 is provided on the back surface side of the supply bottle 50K. When the bottle portion 181 is rotated by the bottle portion motor 142 (FIG. 7) of the drive portion 141, the developer stored in the bottle portion 181 is spiral-shaped rib 186 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the bottle portion 181. As a result, it is guided to the supply port 185 of the cap part 182. The developer is dropped and supplied from the supply port 185 into the developing device provided in the image forming unit 21K through the joint 51K.

  A sensor rotation mechanism 163 (support means) is provided at the end of the bottle 181 on the cap 182 side so as to cover the outer periphery of the end.

  FIG. 3A shows an exploded view in which the sensor turning mechanism 163 is disassembled into components, and FIG. 3B shows a side view of the moving gear 151 (turning motion means) and the drive gear 152.

  As shown in an exploded view in FIG. 3A, the sensor surrounding mechanism 163 includes a moving gear 151 and support members 161 and 162.

  The moving gear 151 is a spur gear in which teeth are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the semi-cylindrical member in a direction parallel to the cylindrical axis. A semicircular arc-shaped groove 151a is formed on each side surface of both ends of the semi-cylindrical member, and a magnetic sensor (detection means) 171 is opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K on the inner peripheral surface of the semi-cylindrical member. It is provided in the state.

  The support member 161 includes a cylindrical member 161a and two leg portions 161b extending downward from the outer peripheral wall of the cylindrical member 161a. The leg portion 161b is positioned above the intermediate transfer belt 31 and is an image forming apparatus. 1 is installed in the main body casing.

  Further, like the support member 161, the support member 162 includes a cylindrical member 162a and two leg portions 162b extending downward from the outer peripheral wall of the cylindrical member 162a. The leg portion 162b is located above the intermediate transfer belt 31. Is installed in the main body housing of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The moving gear 151 is configured to freely circulate along the outer peripheral surface of the replenishing bottle 50K, and a cylindrical end surface of the cylindrical member 161a is fitted in a groove 151a formed on one side surface of the moving gear 151. The cylindrical end surface of the cylindrical member 162a is fitted in the groove 151a provided on the other side surface.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, a gear 156 that is a spur gear is pivotally supported by a motor shaft of a magnetic sensor motor 143 (FIG. 7) provided in the drive unit 141, and the gear 156 is a spur gear. The gear 155 meshes with a gear 154 that is a spur gear. Further, a shaft 153 is provided in parallel with the central axis 189 of the replenishing bottle 50K, and the shaft 153 is provided with a gear 154 and a drive gear 152 as a spur gear at both ends thereof. It is supported rotatably by. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3B, the drive gear 152 meshes with the moving gear 151.

  The rotational driving force transmitted from the magnetic sensor motor 143 provided in the driving unit 141 is transmitted to the driving gear 152 via the gears 156, 155, and 154 and the shaft 153, and the driving gear 152 rotates to move the moving gear. 151 rotates around the central axis 189 of the supply bottle 50K along the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K. The magnetic sensor 171 is provided on the peripheral circuit of the moving gear 151 so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, since the magnetic sensor 171 is arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the moving gear 151, the movement along the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K with the central axis 189 as the center. With the circling movement of the gear 151, the magnetic sensor 171 circulates along the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K around the central axis 189 of the supply bottle 50K on the circuit.

  Here, the drive unit 141, the sensor rotation mechanism 163, the drive gear 152, the shaft 153, the gears 154 to 156, the magnetic sensor 171, and the bottle control unit 112 described later determine the remaining amount of the developing device stored in the supply bottle 50K. An estimation device for estimation is configured.

1.3 Magnetic sensor 171
The magnetic sensor 171 detects whether or not the developer is present in the detection range (detection region).

  FIG. 4A shows a schematic plan view of the magnetic sensor 171, and FIG. 4B shows a schematic side view of the magnetic sensor 171 together with the magnetic lines 191 output from the coil 172 as an antenna. FIG. 4C shows a schematic circuit diagram of the electric circuit 178 constituting the magnetic sensor 171.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4C, the magnetic sensor 171 includes a Colpitts resonance circuit 179, an amplifier 176, and a converter 180 disposed on a substrate 170. The Colpitts resonance circuit 179 includes a coil 172. , Capacitors 173 and 174, a resistor 177 and an inverter 175.

  The coils 172 are arranged in a spiral on the substrate 170.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, magnetic force lines 191 are output from the coil 172 on both sides of the magnetic sensor 171.

  The capacitor 173, the coil 172, and the capacitor 174 are connected in series in this order. One end of each of the capacitor 173 and the capacitor 174 is grounded. The other end of the capacitor 173 is connected to one end of the coil 172 and one end of the inverter 175, and the other end of the capacitor 174 is connected to the other end of the coil 172 and one end of the resistor 177. The other end of the inverter 175 is connected to the other end of the resistor 177 and one end of the amplifier 176. The other end of the amplifier 176 is connected to the converter 180.

  The inverter 175 inverts the input signal and outputs it. The signal output from the inverter 175 is input again to the inverter 175 via the resistor 177 and the coil 172. As a result, a signal having a stable frequency is output from the Colpitts resonance circuit 179.

  The oscillation frequency of the signal output from the Colpitts resonance circuit 179, that is, from the node 175a is determined by the following equation.

f = 1 / (2π√ (L1 * C))
C = (C1 * C2) / (C1 + C2)
Here, L1 is the inductance of the coil 172, and C1 and C2 are the capacitances of the capacitor 173 and the capacitor 174, respectively.

  Here, when the developer, which is a magnetic substance, is present within the detection range of the magnetic sensor 171, the inductance of the coil 172 varies. Due to this variation, the oscillation frequency indicated by the above equation changes. Due to the change in the oscillation frequency, the magnetic developer can be detected by the magnetic permeability.

  The amplifier 176 amplifies the signal output from the Colpitts resonance circuit 179.

  The converter 180 converts the frequency of the amplified signal output from the amplifier 176 into a voltage and outputs the voltage. Here, the signal output from the converter 180 is referred to as a detection signal.

(Detection range by magnetic sensor 171)
FIG. 5 shows a detection range by the magnetic sensor 171.

  A developer is stored in the supply bottle 50K. When the developer is supplied from the supply bottle 50K to the developing device, the liquid level 209 of the developer is lowered vertically while maintaining the level. The magnetic sensor 171 has a range where the developer can be detected. As shown in FIG. 5, when the liquid level 209 exists in the detection range 203, the developer can be detected by the magnetic sensor 171.

  Here, the detection range 203 is a space within a range of a predetermined distance in the vertical direction from the bottom surface with the arrangement surface of the coil 172 of the magnetic sensor 171 as the bottom surface. Here, the predetermined distance is 8 mm as an example.

  When the liquid level 209 exists above the detection range 203, it can be seen that the developer is present in the detection range 203, but the position of the liquid level 209 is not known. On the other hand, when the liquid level 209 exists below the detection range 203, it can be seen that no developer is present in the detection range 203, but the position of the liquid level 209 is not known.

(Relationship between amount of developer and output of magnetic sensor 171)
FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of developer stored in the supply bottle and the output of the magnetic sensor 171.

  In this graph, the horizontal axis indicates the amount of developer stored in the supply bottle, that is, the position of the liquid level 209 shown in FIG. 5, and the vertical axis indicates the detection signal that is the output of the magnetic sensor 171. .

  A curve 212 shows the relationship between the amount of developer stored in the supply bottle and the detection signal that is the output of the magnetic sensor 171.

  When the amount of the developer is less than the amount 213, the output of the magnetic sensor 171 is constant. In this case, the developer is not present in the detection range 203. Even when the amount of the developer exceeds the amount 214, the output of the magnetic sensor 171 is constant. In this case, it indicates that the liquid level 209 exists above the detection range 203.

  When the amount of the developer is between the amount 213 and the amount 214, the output of the magnetic sensor 171 increases in proportion to the amount of the developer. In this case, the liquid level is present in the detection range 203 of FIG.

1.4 Main control unit 100
A configuration of the main control unit 100 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the main control unit 100.

  As shown in this figure, the main control unit 100 includes a CPU 101, a main body-attached nonvolatile memory 102, a unit-attached nonvolatile memory 103, a printer control unit 104, a controller unit 105, a scanner control unit 106, a network IF unit 107, a RAM 108, A ROM 109, an operation panel control unit 123, and the like are included.

  For example, when the main control unit 100 receives a print job for copying an original image by a user operation, or receives a print job from an external device via the network IF unit 107, the main control unit 100 performs printer control. The unit 104 is instructed to perform print processing.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the printer control unit 104 includes a printer main control unit 111, a bottle control unit (estimating means) 112, an image forming device control unit 117, a fixing control unit 118, a sheet conveyance control unit 119, and an exposure optical system control. It is comprised from the part 120 grade | etc.,. The bottle control unit 112 includes a control unit (output unit) 113, a determination unit 115, and a storage unit 116.

  Specifically, the printer control unit 104 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and includes a printer main control unit 111, an image forming device control unit 117, a fixing control unit 118, a sheet conveyance control unit 119, and an exposure optical system. The control unit 120, the control unit 113 of the bottle control unit 112, and the determination unit 115 each fulfills its function by the CPU operating in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM.

  The printer main control unit 111 controls the bottle control unit 112, the image forming device control unit 117, the fixing control unit 118, the sheet conveyance control unit 119, the exposure optical system control unit 120, and the like in a unified manner.

  The image forming device control unit 117, the fixing control unit 118, the sheet conveyance control unit 119, and the exposure optical system control unit 120 are respectively configured to perform image forming operations by the image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K, pressurization by the fixing unit 34, and The heating operation, the supply of the recording sheet from the sheet feeding unit 33 and the conveying operation of the recording sheet, the light irradiation by the exposure optical system 25, and the like are controlled.

  The bottle control unit 112 will be described later.

  The operation panel control unit 123 receives status information from the control unit 113 via the printer control unit 104. The state information indicates that one of the supply bottles is near empty or empty. Next, the operation panel control unit 123 generates a message corresponding to the received state information. Here, when the status information indicates that one of the supply bottles is near empty, the operation panel control unit 123 prompts a replacement bottle replacement preparation message (caution information), for example, “prepare replacement bottle replacement preparation”. Please generate ". Further, when the status information indicates that any of the supply bottles is empty, the operation panel control unit 123 displays a message (warning information) prompting the replacement of the supply bottle, for example, “Replace the supply bottle”. Generate. The operation panel control unit 123 outputs the generated message to the operation panel 13 via the input / output unit 122. In addition, the operation panel control unit 123 outputs information such as characters, numbers, and images to the operation panel 13 via the input / output unit 122 according to instructions from the CPU 101.

  The controller unit 105 relays information transmission / reception between the scanner control unit 10 and the network IF unit 107 and the CPU 101.

  The scanner control unit 106 controls the scanner unit 11 to execute an operation for reading a document image.

  The RAM 108 temporarily stores various control variables and the number of copies set by the operation panel 13 and provides a work area when the CPU 101 executes the program.

  The ROM 109 stores a control program for executing various jobs such as a copy operation.

  The network IF unit 107 receives a print job from an external terminal device such as a PC (personal computer) via a network such as a LAN.

  The CPU 101 controls the printer control unit 104, the controller unit 105, the network IF unit 107, the scanner control unit 106, the operation panel control unit 123, and the like by operating according to a control program stored in the ROM 109. For example, when the CPU 101 operates according to the control program and receives a print job from the network IF unit 107, the CPU 101 instructs the printer control unit 104 to execute an image forming operation based on the print job data.

  The main body-attached nonvolatile memory 102 stores, for example, data measured by the CPU 101.

  The unit-attached nonvolatile memory 103 stores, for example, data related to consumables provided in the image forming apparatus 1.

  The input / output unit 121 outputs the detection signal received from the magnetic sensor 171 to the control unit 113 of the bottle control unit 112.

  The drive unit 141 drives and stops the bottle unit motor 142 and the magnetic sensor motor 143 and the like under the control of the control unit 113 of the bottle control unit 112.

  Further, the input / output unit 122 relays transmission / reception of information between the CPU 101 and the operation panel 13.

1.5 Bottle control unit 112
When the remaining amount of the developer in the developing device included in the image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K decreases, the bottle control unit 112 starts the joints 51Y, 51M, and 51C from the supply bottles 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K, respectively. , 51K, and control so that the developer of each color is supplied into the developing devices included in the image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K.

  Further, the bottle control unit 112 controls the rotation angle of the moving gear 151 so that the magnetic sensor 171 detects the presence or absence of the developer at a plurality of detection positions on the peripheral circuit of the moving gear 151 with respect to the replenishing bottle 50K. . As a result, the magnetic sensor 171 moves around along the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K.

  Further, the bottle control unit 112 controls the magnetic sensor 171 to detect the developer in the supply bottle 50K at each position on the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K. Further, the bottle control unit 112 estimates the remaining amount of the developer stored in the bottle unit 181 using the detection signal output by the magnetic sensor 171. Further, the bottle control unit 112 indicates state information indicating that the supply bottle 50K is near empty or empty (prompt for replacement preparation of the supply bottle 50K) according to the remaining amount of the developer stored in the bottle unit 181. (Or corresponding to message information prompting replacement of the supply bottle 50K), and the generated status information is output to the operation panel control unit 123 via the printer main control unit 111.

  The same applies to the supply bottles 50Y, 50M, and 50C.

  As described above, the bottle control unit 112 includes the control unit 113, the determination unit 115, and the storage unit 116.

(1) Storage unit 116
The memory | storage part 116 is comprised from the non-volatile semiconductor memory as an example.

  The storage unit 116 includes an area for storing a variable i, a variable k, and a variable j that are used in the operation of the bottle control unit 112.

  Here, the variable i is a variable for storing the number of repetitions in the operation of detecting the developer in the replenishment bottle 50K by the magnetic sensor 171 and corresponds to the detection position shown in FIG. . That is, the detection positions 221, 222, 223, 224, and 225 shown in FIG. 8A correspond to the variables i “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, and “5”, respectively. .

  The variable k indicates the detection position of the magnetic sensor 171 when the developer is detected by the magnetic sensor 171.

  Furthermore, when the variable j is “4”, it indicates that it is near empty, and when it is “5”, it indicates that it is empty.

(2) Control unit 113
The control unit 113 waits until the timing for starting the operation for detecting the remaining amount of developer in the supply bottle 50K arrives, and when that timing arrives, the controller 113 performs an operation for detecting the developer in the supply bottle 50K. Control to do.

  Here, the timing for detecting the remaining amount of developer in the supply bottle 50K is, for example, when the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on.

  Note that the timing of detecting the remaining amount of developer in the supply bottle 50K is not limited to this timing. For example, the remaining amount of developer may be detected a predetermined number of times a month, a predetermined number of times a week, or a predetermined number of times a day. Further, for example, the number of times of detecting the remaining amount of the developer may be increased or decreased according to the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum included in the image forming unit 21K.

  When it is time to detect the remaining amount of developer in the supply bottle 50K, the control unit 113 comprehensively controls the operation of detecting the developer in the supply bottle 50K.

  Specifically, when the timing for detecting the remaining amount of developer in the supply bottle 50K arrives, the control unit 113 first sets the magnetic sensor 171 to the uppermost position (see FIG. The drive unit 141 is controlled to move to the detection position 221) shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, the drive unit 141 is controlled so that the magnetic sensor 171 moves around in the order of the detection positions 222, 223, 224, and 225 shown in FIG. The controller 113 causes the magnetic sensor 171 to detect the developer in the supply bottle 50K at each detection position. If the developer is detected in the supply bottle 50K at any detection position starting from the uppermost position of the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K, the control unit 113 moves to the next detection position. The developer detection operation is terminated without moving the magnetic sensor 171.

  Here, when the developer is detected in the supply bottle 50K at any detection position, the control unit 113 stores a position number indicating the detection position as a variable k.

  When the developer is not detected at the detection position 224 and the developer is detected at the detection position 225, the control unit 113 stores the position number “4” indicating the detection position 224 as a variable j. In this case, the state is near empty. On the other hand, when the developer is not detected at both the detection positions 224 and 225, the control unit 113 stores the position number “5” indicating the detection position 225 as the variable j. In this case, the developer is not present in the supply bottle 50K, and is in an empty state.

  The control unit 113 sets the value of the variable k as detection position information indicating the position where the developer is detected, and the value of the variable j as status information indicating that the supply bottle 50K is near empty or empty. Output to the operation panel control unit 123 via the main control unit 111, cause the operation panel control unit 123 to generate a remaining amount display image corresponding to the detected position information, generate a message corresponding to the state information, and input / output The remaining amount display image and the message are displayed on the operation panel 13 via the unit 122.

(3) Determination unit 115
The determination unit 115 determines whether it is time to detect the remaining amount of developer in the supply bottle 50K.

  Further, the determination unit 115 determines whether or not the developer is detected based on the detection signal received from the magnetic sensor 171 via the input / output unit 121. That is, the determination unit 115 determines whether or not the detection signal is greater than or equal to an output value corresponding to the developer amount 213 shown in FIG. If the detection signal is greater than or equal to the output value corresponding to the developer amount 213, it is determined that the developer has been detected. If the detection signal is less than the output value corresponding to the developer amount 213, it is determined that the developer has not been detected.

When determining that the developer is not detected, the determination unit 115 further determines whether the variable i is “4” and whether the variable i is “5”. No. 115 determines whether the variable i indicating the number of repetitions is smaller than “5” or equal to “5” in the repeated control for detecting the developer in the supply bottle 50K. That is, it is determined whether or not the number of repetitions has been exceeded.

(4) Control by Bottle Control Unit 112 and Detection of Developer (A) As described above, the bottle control unit 112 has the movement gear 151 along the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K with the central axis 189 of the supply bottle 50K as the center. The magnetic sensor 171 is moved to a plurality of detection positions (detection positions 221, 222, 223, 224, and 225 in FIG. 8A) facing the outer peripheral surface of the replenishing bottle 50K. It operates as a rotation control means.

  Further, the bottle control unit 112 uses the detection signal output by the magnetic sensor 171 at each of the plurality of detection positions, that is, using the detection result of the presence or absence of the developer at each detection position, the replenishment bottle 50K. Operates as an estimation means for estimating the remaining amount of the developer stored in the printer.

  The magnetic sensor 171 is integrated with the cylindrical supply bottle 50K and the moving gear 151 coaxial with the cylindrical supply bottle 50K, and moves around the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K. Therefore, the detection positions 221, 222, and 223 in FIG. In any of 224, 225, the distance from the magnetic sensor 171 to the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K is constant. For this reason, the detection by the magnetic sensor 171 is performed under the same condition that the distance from the magnetic sensor 171 to the outer peripheral surface of the replenishing bottle 50K does not change regardless of the detection position of the magnetic sensor 171. be able to.

  (A) The bottle control unit 112 sequentially moves the magnetic sensor 171 to at least two adjacent detection positions (for example, the detection positions 221 and 222 in FIG. 8A), and the developer at each detection position. The presence or absence of may be detected.

  Of the two detection positions, the bottle control unit 112 indicates that the detection signal output at the upper detection position 221 indicates that no developer is present, and the detection signal output at the lower detection position 222 indicates that the developer is present. Indicates that at least the capacity from the lowermost part 239 (FIG. 8A) in the bottle portion 181 to the detection position 222 on the lower side is the remaining amount of developer stored in the supply bottle 50K. It may be estimated.

  In this manner, the remaining amount of the developer stored in the supply bottle 50K can be estimated using the detection signals output at least at two consecutive detection positions.

  (C) The bottle control unit 112 may move the magnetic sensor 171 to at least two consecutive detection positions (for example, the detection positions 224 and 225 in FIG. 8A). That is, the lower detection position 225 is located at a position facing the lowermost part 239 of the supply bottle 50K.

  Here, when the detection signal output at the upper detection position 224 indicates that the developer is not present, and the detection signal output at the lower detection position 225 indicates that the developer is present, the bottle control The unit 112 replaces the replenishment bottle 50K, that is, status information indicating that it is near empty (the remaining amount of developer is low, that is, the remaining amount of developer is less than a predetermined threshold). It operates as an output means for outputting message information indicating that it should be prepared.

  In this way, it is possible to determine the timing for generating message information indicating that the replacement of the supply bottle 50K should be prepared using the detection signals output at least at two consecutive detection positions.

  (D) The bottle control unit 112 may move the magnetic sensor 171 to the uppermost position of the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K (for example, the detection position 221 in FIG. 8A) as one detection position.

  Here, when the detection signal output at the detection position 221 indicates that the developer is present, the bottle control unit 112 indicates that the developer in the supply bottle 50K has not been consumed or the amount of developer consumed. May be estimated to be extremely small, that is, the amount of developer consumption is less than a predetermined threshold.

  (E) The bottle control unit 112 may move the magnetic sensor 171 around as a single detection position to a position (for example, the detection position 225 in FIG. 8A) facing the lowermost part 239 of the supply bottle 50K. .

  When the detection signal output at the detection position 225 indicates that the developer is not present, the bottle control unit 112 may estimate that the developer is not present in the supply bottle 50K.

  When the detection signal output at the detection position 225 indicates that the developer is not present, the bottle control unit 112 displays status information indicating that it is empty, that is, message information indicating that replacement of the supply bottle 50K is urged. Operates as output means for outputting.

  In this way, it is possible to determine the timing for outputting message information indicating that the replacement of the supply bottle 50K is urged.

  (F) When the timing for detecting the remaining amount of the developer has arrived, the bottle control unit 112 out of a plurality of detection positions (for example, the detection positions 221, 222, 223, 224, 225 in FIG. 8A) First, the magnetic sensor 171 may be moved to the uppermost detection position 221 on the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K.

  Further, the bottle control unit 112 at least in the first detection position (for example, the detection position 221 in FIG. 8A) and the second detection position (for example, the detection position 222 in FIG. 8A) in this order. The magnetic sensor 171 may be moved around. Note that the first detection position exists above the second detection position.

  Here, when the detection signal output at the first detection position (detection position 221) indicates that the developer is not present, the bottle control unit 112 next moves the magnetic sensor to the second detection position (detection position 222). 171 is moved around.

  The liquid level of the developer in the replenishment bottle 50K moves vertically downward while maintaining the level as the developer is supplied to the developing device. For this reason, first, by arranging the magnetic sensor 171 at the detection position 221 arranged at the uppermost position of the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K, the magnetic sensor 171 can be efficiently moved around. When the detection signal output at the upper first detection position indicates that the developer is not present, the bottle control unit 112 next moves the magnetic sensor 171 to the lower second detection position. The magnetic sensor 171 can be efficiently moved around.

  If the detection signal output at the lower detection position indicates that there is no developer, the bottle control unit 112 next moves the magnetic sensor 171 to the upper detection position, and the upper detection is performed. In position, it is clear that no developer is present, resulting in an inefficient transfer sequence.

1.6 Relationship Between Developer Liquid Level and Detection Range FIG. 8A shows the detection position and detection range of the magnetic sensor 171 on the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, when the magnetic sensor 171 exists at any one of the detection positions 221, 222, 223, 224, and 225, the detection range of the magnetic sensor 171 is denoted by reference numerals 201, 202, Reference numerals 203, 204, and 205 denote the above.

  The detection position 221 faces the uppermost part of the cross section of the supply bottle 50K along the YZ plane and exists at a position above it.

  The detection position 222 is present at a position that is rotated 45 degrees from the detection position 221 along the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K around the central axis 189 of the supply bottle 50K.

  The detection position 223 exists around the center axis 189 of the supply bottle 50K along the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K at a position that has been rotated 45 degrees from the detection position 222.

  Similarly to the above, the detection position 224 is also located at a position 45 degrees around the detection position 223, and the detection position 225 is also around 45 degrees from the detection position 224 as described above. The position is opposite to the lowermost part 239 of the supply bottle 50K, and exists below the lowermost part 239. The detection range by the magnetic sensor 171 is as described above.

  When the developer level 209 of the replenishment bottle 50K exists in the detection ranges 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 shown in FIG. 8A, the magnetic sensor 171 indicates the presence of the developer level. It can be detected.

  Next, FIG. 8B shows the relationship between the detection position of the magnetic sensor 171 and the detection range of the magnetic sensor 171 in the Z-axis direction.

  In this figure, the horizontal axis is a linear development of the position on the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K where the detection positions 221, 222, 223, 224, and 225 shown in FIG. The axis indicates the range in the Z-axis direction of the detection ranges 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 shown in FIG. Further, a position when the maximum amount of developer is filled in the supply bottle 50K is indicated by reference numeral 230.

  The detection positions 231, 232, 233, 234, and 235 shown in FIG. 8B correspond to the detection positions 221, 222, 223, 224, and 225 shown in FIG. 8A, respectively. Further, detection ranges 241, 242, 243, 244, and 245 shown in FIG. 8B correspond to detection ranges 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 shown in FIG. 8A, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, each of the detection ranges 241, 242, 243, 244, 245 does not overlap with the other detection ranges, but the detection ranges 241, 242, 243, 244, 245 Since it can be said that the range in the Z-axis direction in the bottle 50K is generally covered, the liquid level of the developer can be detected satisfactorily.

  Note that the number of detection positions where the magnetic sensor moves around and stops so that each of the detection ranges 241, 242, 243, 244 and 245 overlaps the adjacent detection ranges may be increased from the above.

1.7 Operation panel 13
As an example, the operation panel 13 (display means) is configured by overlapping a touch panel above the liquid crystal display device. The operation panel 13 includes a plurality of buttons for turning on the power and inputting numbers by the user.

  The operation panel 13 receives information such as characters, numbers, and images from the operation panel control unit 123 via the input / output unit 122, and displays the received information such as characters, numbers, and images.

  In addition, the operation panel 13 receives, from the operation panel control unit 123 via the input / output unit 122, a remaining amount display image that indicates the remaining amount of developer in each color supply bottle, a message that prompts the user to prepare for replacement of each color supply bottle, A message prompting replacement of the replenishment bottles for each color is received, and a remaining amount display image for each color and each message are displayed.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen displayed on the operation panel 13.

  As shown in FIG. 9, for example, the operation panel 13 includes setting button images such as density, paper, magnification, double-sided / page aggregation, a message 131 that prompts for replacement bottle replacement, and supply bottles for each color. The remaining amount display images 132Y, 132M, 132C, and 132K indicating the remaining amount of the developer are displayed.

  As described above, since the remaining amount display image indicating the remaining amount of the developer in the replenishment bottle of each color is displayed on the operation panel 13, the user can use the remaining amount display image of the developer in the replenishment bottle of each color. You can know the remaining amount.

  The operation panel 13 displays a message prompting for replacement of each color supply bottle or a message prompting replacement of each color supply bottle at an appropriate time. Alternatively, the timing of replacement of the supply bottle can be known.

1.8 Operation of Image Forming Apparatus 1 The operation of the image forming apparatus 1, particularly the operation of detecting the developer in the supply bottle 50K by the magnetic sensor 171 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. . The supply bottles 50Y, 50M, and 50C are the same as those of the supply bottle 50K, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  The determination unit 115 determines whether it is time to detect the remaining amount of developer in the supply bottle 50K (step S101).

  When determining that it is not time to detect the remaining amount of developer in the supply bottle 50K (“NO” in step S101), the control unit 113 shifts control to step S101 and repeats the processing.

  When it is determined that it is time to detect the remaining amount of developer in the supply bottle 50K (“YES” in step S101), the control unit 113 causes the magnetic sensor 171 to be positioned at the top of the supply bottle 50K (FIG. 8). The drive unit 141 is controlled so as to move around to the detection position 221) shown in FIG. That is, the magnetic sensor motor 143 of the drive unit 141 rotates, and the rotational drive force is transmitted to the drive gear 152 via the gears 156, 155, and 154, and the shaft 153. 151 rotates around the central axis 189 of the supply bottle 50K along the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K. When the magnetic sensor 171 moves around to the uppermost position of the supply bottle 50K, the magnetic sensor motor 143 of the drive unit 141 stops rotating, and the magnetic sensor 171 stops at that position (step S102).

  Next, the control unit 113 initializes a variable i, a variable k, and a variable j. That is, the control unit 113 sets the variable i to “1”, sets the variable k to “0”, and sets the variable j to “0” (step S103).

  The magnetic sensor 171 performs an operation of detecting the developer in the supply bottle 50K. The control unit 113 receives a detection signal from the magnetic sensor 171 via the input / output unit 121 (step S104).

  The determination unit 115 determines whether the developer has been detected based on the received detection signal (step S105).

  When the determination unit 115 determines that the developer has been detected (“YES” in step S105), the control unit 113 substitutes the content of the variable i for the variable k (step S113). Next, the control unit 113 shifts control to step S114.

  If the determination unit 115 determines that the developer has not been detected (“NO” in step S105), the determination unit 115 determines whether the variable i is “4” (step S106). Here, it is determined whether or not there is a possibility of near empty. When the determination unit 115 determines that the variable i is “4” (“YES” in step S106), the control unit 113 substitutes “4” for the variable j (step S107).

  Next, the determination unit 115 determines whether or not the variable i is “5” (step S108). Here, it is determined whether or not there is a possibility that the developer remains in the supply bottle 50K (empty). When the determination unit 115 determines that the variable i is “5” (“YES” in step S108), the control unit 113 substitutes “5” for the variable j (step S109).

  Next, the control unit 113 adds “1” to the variable i (step S110).

  Next, the determination unit 115 determines whether the variable i is smaller than “5” or equal to “5” (step S111). When the determination unit 115 determines that the variable i is smaller than or equal to “5” (“YES” in step S111), the control unit 113 determines that the magnetic sensor 171 is 45 degrees from the current position. The drive unit 141 is controlled so as to move around along the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K. That is, the magnetic sensor motor 143 of the drive unit 141 rotates, and the rotational drive force is transmitted to the drive gear 152 via the gears 156, 155, and 154, and the shaft 153. 151 revolves along the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K around the central axis 189 of the supply bottle 50K. When the magnetic sensor 171 moves around 45 degrees around the central axis 189 of the supply bottle 50K, the magnetic sensor motor 143 of the driving unit 141 stops rotating, and the magnetic sensor 171 stops at that position (step) S112). Next, the control part 113 transfers control to step S104, and repeats a process.

  When the determination unit 115 determines that the variable i is greater than “5” (“NO” in step S111), the determination unit 115 determines whether the variable j is “4” (step S114). . When the determination unit 115 determines that the variable j is “4” (“YES” in step S114), the control unit 113 sets the variable j as state information indicating that the supply bottle 50K is near empty. The value is output to the operation panel control unit 123 via the printer main control unit 111. The operation panel control unit 123 generates a message corresponding to the received state information, that is, a message that prompts replacement bottle replacement preparation (step S115).

  Next, the determination unit 115 determines whether or not the variable j is “5” (step S116). When the determination unit 115 determines that the variable j is “5” (“YES” in step S116), the control unit 113 sets the value of the variable j as state information indicating that the supply bottle 50K is empty. Is output to the operation panel control unit 123 via the printer main control unit 111. The operation panel control unit 123 generates a message corresponding to the received state information, that is, a message that prompts replacement of the supply bottle (step S117).

  The operation panel control unit 123 outputs the generated message to the operation panel 13 via the input / output unit 122, and the operation panel 13 displays this message (step S118).

  The control unit 113 outputs detected position information indicated by the variable k and indicating the position where the developer is detected to the printer main control unit 111. The printer main control unit 111 outputs the received detected position information to the operation panel control. Output to the unit 123. The operation panel control unit 123 uses the received detection position information to generate a remaining amount display image indicating the remaining amount of developer, and the generated remaining amount display image is input to the operation panel 13 via the input / output unit 122. Output for. The operation panel 13 displays a remaining amount display image (step S119).

  Next, the control unit 113 shifts the control to step S101 and repeats the process.

  This is the end of the description of the operation of detecting the developer in the replenishment bottle 50K by the magnetic sensor 171.

1.9 Summary The replenishment bottle 50K has a cylindrical shape having central shafts 189 arranged in the horizontal direction, and stores a developer containing a magnetic material. The magnetic sensor 171 detects the developer based on the magnetic permeability. The support members 161 and 162 of the sensor circling mechanism 163 support the moving gear 151 so as to be able to circulate around the central axis 189 along the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K. The bottle control unit 112 controls the moving gear 151 to make a revolving motion along the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K. Thereby, the magnetic sensor 171 attached to the inner peripheral surface of the moving gear 151 moves around along the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K. The magnetic sensor 171 circulates to a plurality of detection positions arranged in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the supply bottle 50K, and stops at each detection position. The bottle control unit 112 estimates the remaining amount of developer stored in the supply bottle 50K using detection results obtained by the magnetic sensor 171 at a plurality of detection positions.

  Thus, since the magnetic sensor 171 moves around along the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical supply bottle 50K, the distance from the magnetic sensor 171 to the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K at any of the plurality of detection positions is It is constant. For this reason, the detection by the magnetic sensor 171 is performed under the same condition that the distance from the magnetic sensor 171 to the outer peripheral surface of the replenishing bottle 50K does not change regardless of the detection position of the magnetic sensor 171. be able to.

  In this way, it is possible to accurately estimate the remaining amount of the developer stored in the replenishing bottle 50K using the detection result obtained by the magnetic sensor 171.

  Further, since the operation panel 13 displays a remaining amount display image indicating the remaining amount of developer in the replenishment bottles for each color, the user knows the remaining amount of developer in the replenishment bottles for each color from the remaining amount display image. be able to.

  Further, since the operation panel 13 displays a message prompting replacement of each color supply bottle or a message prompting replacement of each color supply bottle at an appropriate time, the user prepares or replaces the supply bottle. Can be accurately indicated.

2 Modification (1)
The estimation device that estimates the remaining amount of developer stored in each of the supply bottles 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K as the modified example (1) of the above-described embodiment, centering on differences from the embodiment. Will be described.

  FIG. 12 shows a schematic side view of gears and the like that circulate along the outer peripheral surfaces of the replenishing bottles 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K as the modification (1).

  Regarding the supply bottle 50K, the estimation device includes a drive unit 141, a sensor rotation mechanism, a drive gear 152, a shaft 153, gears 154 to 156, a magnetic sensor 171K (detection means), a bottle control unit 112, and the like. Here, the drive unit 141, the drive gear 152, the shaft 153, the gears 154 to 156, the magnetic sensor 171K, and the bottle control unit 112 are the same as corresponding components in the embodiment.

  The sensor circling mechanism includes a moving gear 301K (orbiting motion means) and support members 161 and 162 (FIG. 3A). Here, the support members 161 and 162 are the same as the corresponding components in the embodiment.

  The moving gear 301 </ b> K is a spur gear in which tooth traces are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member in a direction parallel to the cylindrical axis. A circular groove 302K is formed on each side surface of both ends of the cylindrical member, and a magnetic sensor 171K is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member.

  Similar to the embodiment, the moving gear 301K has a cylindrical end surface of the cylindrical member 161a in a groove 302K formed on one side surface of the moving gear 301K so as to be rotatable along the outer peripheral surface of the replenishing bottle 50K. The cylindrical end surface of the cylindrical member 162a is fitted in the groove 302K that is fitted and formed in the other side surface of the moving gear 301K.

  With such a structure, the rotation of the drive gear 152 causes the moving gear 301K to circulate along the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K. As a result, the magnetic sensor 171K rotates around the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K. Moving.

  Further, regarding the supply bottle 50C, a sensor rotation mechanism is provided that supports the magnetic sensor 171C (detection means) so as to be rotatable around the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50C around the central axis 189C of the supply bottle 50C. .

  The sensor circling mechanism for the replenishing bottle 50C includes a moving gear 301C (orbiting motion means) having the same structure as the moving gear 301K. A gear 303C that meshes with both the movement gear 301K and the movement gear 301C is provided between the movement gear 301K and the movement gear 301C.

  Due to the rotation of the moving gear 301K, the rotational driving force is transmitted to the moving gear 301C via the gear 303C, and the magnetic sensor 171C moves around along the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50C.

  Further, the replenishing bottles 50M and 50Y are provided with sensor rotation mechanisms for supporting the magnetic sensors 171M and 171Y (detection means) so as to be rotatable about the central axes 189M and 189Y of the respective replenishing bottles.

  The sensor rotation mechanism for the supply bottle 50M and the sensor rotation mechanism for the supply bottle 50Y respectively include movement gears 301M and 301Y (circulation motion means) having the same structure as the movement gear 301K. A gear 303M that meshes with both the movement gear 301C and the movement gear 301M is provided between the movement gear 301C and the movement gear 301M. Further, a gear 303Y that meshes with both the movement gear 301M and the movement gear 301Y is provided between the movement gear 301M and the movement gear 301Y.

  Due to the rotation of the moving gear 301C, the rotational driving force is transmitted to the moving gear 301M via the gear 303M, and the magnetic sensor 171M moves around along the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50M.

  Further, due to the rotation of the moving gear 301M, the rotational driving force is transmitted to the moving gear 301Y via the gear 303Y, and the magnetic sensor 171Y moves around along the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50Y.

  As described above, according to the modified example (1), the rotational driving force by the driving gear 152 is sequentially transmitted to the moving gears 301K, 301C, 301M, and 301Y, and the magnetic sensors 171K, 171C, 171M, and 171Y are replenished respectively. It moves around along the outer peripheral surfaces of the bottles 50K, 50C, 50M, and 50Y. For this reason, it is only necessary to provide the magnetic sensor motor 143, the gears 154 to 156, and the shaft 153 only for the replenishment bottle 50K, and the number of parts can be reduced as a whole.

  In the modification example (1), the magnetic sensors 171K, 171C, 171M, and 171Y move around the outer periphery of the replenishing bottles 50K, 50C, 50M, and 50Y synchronously at the same rotation angle. To do. For this reason, for example, as shown in step S105 of FIG. 10 of the embodiment, even if the developer is detected at one detection position of the supply bottle 50K, the subsequent detection operation is not terminated. For all the supply bottles 50K, 50C, 50M, and 50Y, the developer is sequentially detected from the uppermost part to the lowermost part of the outer peripheral surface.

3 Modification (2)
In the above embodiment, the sensor rotation mechanism 163 includes the moving gear 151, and the driving gear 152 is engaged with the moving gear 151. However, this is not a limitation.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of a pulley or the like that circulates along the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K as the modified example (2).

  In the modified example (2), the sensor circling mechanism includes a cylindrical pulley 313 (circulating motion means) instead of the moving gear 151. A circular groove 314 is formed on each side surface of both ends of the pulley 313, and a magnetic sensor 315 (detection means) is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the pulley 313. The pulley 313 is supported by the support member having the same structure as the support members 161 and 162 of the embodiment along the outer peripheral surface of the refill bottle 50K. Further, a pulley 311 is provided instead of the drive gear 152. An endless belt 312 is wound around the pulley 311 and the pulley 313, and the pulley 311 circulates by the rotational driving force transmitted from the magnetic sensor motor, and the rotational driving force is transmitted via the belt 312 to the pulley. 313, and the magnetic sensor 315 rotates around the central axis 189 of the supply bottle 50K along the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K.

  Thus, since the magnetic sensor 315 moves around along the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K, the distance from the magnetic sensor 315 to the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K is constant at any of the plurality of detection positions. . For this reason, the detection by the magnetic sensor 315 is performed under the same condition that the distance from the magnetic sensor 315 to the outer peripheral surface of the replenishing bottle 50K does not change regardless of the detection position of the magnetic sensor 315. It can be carried out.

  In this way, it is possible to accurately estimate the remaining amount of the developer stored in the replenishing bottle 50K using the detection result obtained by the magnetic sensor 315.

4 Modification (3)
In the above embodiment, the sensor rotation mechanism 163 includes the moving gear 151 and the support members 161 and 162. A driving gear 152 is engaged with the moving gear 151. However, this is not a limitation.

  FIG. 14 shows a schematic side view of a cylindrical member or the like provided so as to surround the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K as the modification (3).

  Instead of the moving gear 151 and the support members 161 and 162 of the embodiment, the sensor rotation mechanism of the modified example (3) is a cylindrical member 325 made of resin and legs extending downward from the outer peripheral wall of the cylindrical member 325. Part 326. The leg portion 326 fixes the cylindrical member 325 and is installed in the main body housing of the image forming apparatus 1 at a position above the intermediate transfer belt 31.

  A part of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 325 is wound with a belt-like flexible film 322 (circulating motion means), and one end of the film 322 is wound around the winding portion 323, and the film 322 is wound. The other end of the coil is wound around the winding part 324. On the film 322, a magnetic sensor 321 (detection means) is provided. The shafts of the winding part 323 and the winding part 324 are connected to the motor shafts of the first and second magnetic sensor motors, respectively. By rotation of the first magnetic sensor motor or the second magnetic sensor motor, the film 322 is wound around one of the winding portions, and moves around the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 325. Accordingly, the magnetic sensor 321 rotates around the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 325 around the central axis 189 of the supply bottle 50K.

  In the figure, in order to make the configuration easy to understand, the magnetic sensor 321 and the outer peripheral surface of the replenishing bottle 50K are shown to be greatly separated from each other. However, actually, the detection range by the magnetic sensor 321 is described. The gap between the magnetic sensor 321 and the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K is as small as several millimeters so that the inside of the supply bottle 50K overlaps.

  Thus, since the magnetic sensor 321 moves around along the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K, the distance from the magnetic sensor 321 to the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K is constant at any of the plurality of detection positions. . For this reason, the detection by the magnetic sensor 321 is performed under the same condition that the distance from the magnetic sensor 321 to the outer peripheral surface of the replenishing bottle 50K does not change regardless of the detection position of the magnetic sensor 321. It can be carried out.

  Thus, the remaining amount of the developer stored in the replenishing bottle 50K can be accurately estimated using the detection result obtained by the magnetic sensor 321.

5 Other Modifications Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, it is not limited to the above embodiment. You may make it show below.

  (1) In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, the magnetic sensor 171 outputs detection signals at the five detection positions 221, 222, 223, 224, and 225. However, it is not limited to this.

  The magnetic sensor 171 may output detection signals at six or more detection positions on the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K.

  Further, the magnetic sensor 171 may continuously output a detection signal from the uppermost part to the lowermost part of the supply bottle 50K when moving around along the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle 50K.

  (2) In the above-described embodiment, the developer is composed of two components of the toner and the carrier that is a magnetic material. However, this configuration is not limited.

  The developer may include a magnetic toner.

  Thereby, the developer can be detected by the magnetic sensor.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the moving gear 151 has a semi-cylindrical shape, but is not limited to a semi-cylindrical shape. The moving gear may be a spur gear in which tooth traces are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member in a direction parallel to the cylindrical axis.

  In this way, the magnetic sensor can be moved on a circular orbit having a certain radius from the central axis of the supply bottle outside the supply bottle, and is not limited to movement by a gear or a belt.

  In this case, the distance from the magnetic sensor to the outer peripheral surface of the supply bottle is constant. For this reason, the detection by the magnetic sensor can be performed under the same condition that the distance from the magnetic sensor to the outer peripheral surface of the replenishing bottle does not change regardless of the detection position of the magnetic sensor.

  Thus, the remaining amount of the developer stored in the replenishing bottle can be accurately estimated using the detection result obtained by the magnetic sensor.

  (4) In the above embodiment, the bottle bottle motor 142 rotates the replenishment bottle, and the magnetic sensor motor 143 rotates the magnetic sensor. However, this is not a limitation.

  The magnetic sensor may be moved around using the rotational driving force with respect to the supply bottle. For example, the bottle bottle motor may rotate the replenishment bottle and move the magnetic sensor around.

  Thereby, the number of parts can be reduced.

  (5) In the above embodiment, when estimating the remaining amount of developer stored in the replenishment bottles for each color, the bottle controller 112 estimates the time (year / month) for each replenishment bottle. The estimated remaining amount may be written in the storage unit 116 together with the day, hour, minute, and second).

  The bottle control unit 112 calculates a temporal change in the remaining amount of the developer using a plurality of sets of the estimated time and the estimated remaining amount written in the storage unit 116 in the past, and calculates the calculated temporal change. And predicting future temporal changes, estimating the time when the supply bottle becomes near empty or the time when it becomes empty for each supply bottle, and displaying the estimated time on the operation panel 13 Good.

  With this configuration, the user can know at what point in time in the future the supply bottle will be near empty or empty (possibility), and can appropriately manage inventory and order management of the supply bottle.

  (6) In the said embodiment, the magnetic sensor is made to circulate along the outer periphery of a supply bottle. However, this is not a limitation.

  The magnetic sensor of the above embodiment is replaced with a photosensor composed of a light emitting part and a light receiving part (detecting means), and the replenishing bottle of the above embodiment is a long, cylindrical shape made of a translucent material. The toner bottle may be replaced.

  The toner bottle stores toner. The toner bottle may not contain a magnetic carrier.

  The light receiving unit circulates along the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle, similarly to the magnetic sensor of the above embodiment. The light receiving unit receives light only from the horizontal direction within the light receiving range (detection area) delimited by the light shielding plate provided in the horizontal direction while maintaining the horizontal itself.

  The light emitting unit is attached to the housing of the image forming apparatus at a position above the intermediate transfer belt so as to face the outer circumferential surface of the half circumference opposite to the outer circumferential surface of the toner bottle around which the light receiving unit circulates. ing. The light emitting unit irradiates light to the entire outer peripheral surface of the half circumference of the toner bottle.

  When light is not received by the light receiving portion, the light from the light emitting portion is blocked by the toner, so that the toner exists in the light receiving range. On the other hand, when the light is received by the light receiving unit, the light from the light emitting unit is not blocked by the toner, so there is no toner in the light receiving range.

  As described above, the position of the liquid surface of the toner can be known based on the position of the light receiving unit that circulates along the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle. As a result, it is possible to know the remaining amount of toner stored in the toner bottle.

  (7) In the above embodiment, when the timing for starting the operation for detecting the remaining amount of the developer in the replenishing bottle has arrived, the magnetic sensor is orbitally moved downward in order from the top of the replenishing bottle to develop The agent is detected. However, this method is not limited. It may be as follows.

  When the developer is detected at a certain detection position, the control unit stops the magnetic sensor at this detection position until the next timing for starting the operation of detecting the remaining amount of the developer comes. Next, when the timing for starting the operation for detecting the remaining amount of developer comes, the developer is detected by the magnetic sensor at this detection position. At this time, when the developer is detected, the magnetic sensor is stopped at this detection position until the next timing for starting the operation for detecting the remaining amount of the developer comes. On the other hand, when the developer is not detected, the magnetic sensor is moved to the lower detection position and the developer is detected at the detection position. Thereafter, this operation is repeated.

  According to this method, the magnetic sensor is not moved to the top of the supply bottle every time the timing for starting the operation for detecting the remaining amount of the developer in the supply bottle comes, so that the developer can be detected efficiently. it can.

  (8) As the sensor for detecting the remaining amount of the developer, in the embodiment and the modified example, a magnetic sensor and an optical sensor (photo sensor) are used.

  However, the sensor is not limited to this. An electrostatic sensor may be used as a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of developer.

  (9) As described above, each of the image forming apparatus and the estimation apparatus is a computer system including a microprocessor and a memory. The memory stores a computer program for control, and the microprocessor operates according to the computer program for control.

  The computer program for control may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory.

  (10) The above embodiment and the above modifications may be combined.

  The estimation apparatus according to the present invention has an excellent effect of being able to estimate the remaining amount of the developer stored in the cylindrical storage container. In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the estimation apparatus includes a storage container for storing the developer. This is useful as a technique for estimating the remaining amount.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 11 Scanner part 12 Printer part 13 Operation panel 21Y-21K Image forming part 25 Exposure optical system 31 Intermediate transfer belt 32 Secondary transfer roller 33 Paper feed part 34 Fixing part 35 Manual feed tray 36, 37 Paper feed roller 38 Ejection Paper tray 39 Timing roller 50Y-50K Supply bottle 51Y-51K Joint 100 Main control unit 101 CPU
102 Nonvolatile Memory Attached to Main Body 103 Nonvolatile Memory Attached to Unit 104 Printer Control Unit 105 Controller Unit 106 Scanner Control Unit 107 Network IF Unit 108 RAM
109 ROM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 111 Printer main control part 112 Bottle control part 113 Control part 115 Judgment part 116 Storage part 117 Image forming apparatus control part 118 Fixing control part 119 Sheet conveyance control part 120 Exposure optical system control part 121,122 Input / output part 123 Operation panel control part 141 Drive portion 151 Moving gear 151a Groove 152 Drive gear 153 Shaft 154 to 156 Gear 161, 162 Support member 161a, 162a Cylindrical member 161b, 162b Leg portion 163 Sensor rotation mechanism 170 Substrate 171 Magnetic sensor 172 Inductor 173 1774 Condenser Amplifier 177 Resistor 178 Electric circuit 179 Colpitts resonance circuit 180 Converter 181 Bottle part 182 Cap part 183 Shutter part 184 Knob 185 Supply port 186 Spiral rib

Claims (16)

An estimation device for estimating the amount of developer remaining in a storage container for a replenishing device that feeds and replenishes developer from a horizontally supported cylindrical storage container toward a developing device of an image forming apparatus. ,
A revolving means for revolving around the outer peripheral surface of the storage container;
A detecting means provided on the circumferential circuit of the orbiting movement means so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the storage container, and detecting whether or not the developer is present in the detection area;
Rotation control means for controlling the rotation angle of the orbiting movement means so that the detection means detects the presence or absence of the developer at a plurality of positions on the circumference circuit with respect to the storage container;
An estimation device comprising: an estimation unit configured to estimate a remaining amount of developer using detection results of presence / absence of developer at the plurality of positions. The estimation means detects the developer at the upper position on the peripheral circuit and detects the developer at the lower position on the two adjacent positions of the plurality of positions, and detects the developer at the uppermost position in the storage container. The estimation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a capacity from a lower portion to a lower position is estimated as a remaining amount of developer stored in the storage container. When the lower side position is the lowermost part of the storage container,
The estimation means estimates that the developer stored in the storage container is near empty when the developer is not detected at the upper position and the developer is detected at the lower position. The estimation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: Further, when the developer is not detected at the upper position and the developer is detected at the lower position, output means for outputting caution information indicating that the storage container should be prepared for replacement is provided. The estimation apparatus according to claim 3. The rotation control means moves and stops the detection means to the top of the outer peripheral surface of the storage container,
The estimation means estimates that the developer in the storage container is not consumed or the consumption amount of the developer is less than a predetermined threshold when the developer is detected at the topmost level. The estimation apparatus described in 1. The rotation control means moves and stops the detection means at the lowest position of the storage container,
The estimation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the estimation unit estimates that the developer stored in the storage container is empty when the developer is not detected at the lowest level. The estimation apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an output unit configured to output warning information indicating that the storage container should be replaced when the developer is not detected at the lowest position. The developer includes a carrier that is a magnetic material or a toner that is a magnetic material,
The estimation device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is a magnetic sensor. The rotation control means controls the rotation direction and the rotation angle so that at least the first position and the second position exist in this order from the upper side to the lower side of the outer peripheral surface of the storage container,
The rotation control means performs control to move the detection means to the second position only when the developer is not detected at the first position. The estimation apparatus described in 1. The rotation control means, when starting the detection operation, first circulates and stops the detection means to the top of the outer peripheral surface of the storage container, and stops the detection means. The estimation apparatus according to item. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus,
An image forming apparatus comprising the estimation device according to claim 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a driving unit that rotates the storage container itself about a horizontal axis. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a display unit that displays a remaining amount of the developer estimated by the estimating unit. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus,
An estimation device according to claim 4 or 7,
An image forming apparatus comprising: display means for displaying the caution information or the warning information output from the estimation device. Used in an estimation device for estimating the amount of developer remaining in a storage container for a replenishing device that feeds and replenishes developer from a horizontally supported cylindrical storage container toward the developing device of the image forming apparatus. A control method,
The estimation device is provided on a circular motion means that circulates along the outer peripheral surface of the storage container, and on a peripheral circuit of the circular motion means in a state facing the outer peripheral surface of the storage container, and the developer is provided in the detection area. Detecting means for detecting whether or not it exists,
The control method is:
A rotation control step for controlling a rotation angle of the orbiting motion means so that the detection means detects the presence or absence of the developer at a plurality of positions on the circumference circuit with respect to the storage container;
And a presuming step of estimating a remaining amount of the developer using detection results of the presence or absence of the developer at the plurality of positions. Used in an estimation device for estimating the amount of developer remaining in a storage container for a replenishing device that feeds and replenishes developer from a horizontally supported cylindrical storage container toward the developing device of the image forming apparatus. A recording medium recording a computer program for control,
The estimation device is provided on a circular motion means that circulates along the outer peripheral surface of the storage container, and on a peripheral circuit of the circular motion means in a state facing the outer peripheral surface of the storage container, and the developer is provided in the detection area. Detecting means for detecting whether or not it exists,
For the estimation device operating as a computer,
A rotation control step for controlling a rotation angle of the orbiting motion means so that the detection means detects the presence or absence of the developer at a plurality of positions on the circumference circuit with respect to the storage container;
A recording medium recording a computer program for executing an estimation step of estimating a remaining amount of developer using detection results of presence / absence of developer at the plurality of positions.

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